WyoNation’s Week 11 Predictions

Wyoming (1-9 1-5) dropped their 3rd straight game last week in the 2015 26-7 border war. Last weeks loss was the 6th time they have lost by 17 or more and all 9 of their losses have been by double digits. There are only 2 games left in what has been a painful and forgettable 2015 season for the Pokes. This week the Cowboys will travel west to San Diego to take on the Aztecs of San Diego State. SDSU is currently 6-3 and 5-0 in conference play, as they sit atop the west division.

Wyoming was a 10.5-point underdog last week and was again unable to cover. They are now 5-5 ATS. This week the Cowboys are a 24-point underdog.

A 26-7 loss to Colorado State felt more like 46-7. To me, Wyoming was dominated in every phase of the game. Yes, the Cowboys held the Rams to 10 points over the final three quarters, but Colorado State got conservative after getting out to a big early lead.

Pokes Pick:

Redshirt senior quarterback Cameron Coffman, and how he does in his first game back after missing the last two-plus games with a right shoulder injury. Can he help the offense become more balanced, and can he handle the pressure and different looks San Diego State’s 3-3-5 scheme will throw at him?

The Cowboys win if…

It gets off to a good start and plays a complete game in all three phases. It also has to force San Diego State into some uncharacteristic mistakes it hasn’t made during its five-game winning streak.

Game Prediction:

Another long night for the Cowboys. San Diego State is playing the best football in the league right now, and will keep rolling. SDSU 38, Wyoming 7

A totally healthy roster might’ve helped UW keep the game closer, but I’m not convinced it would’ve changed the outcome. Still, Wyoming has been riddled with the injury bug all year, and a handful of new injuries didn’t help last week. CSU really dominated the first half and after that the game was out of reach.

Pokes Pick:

Brian Hill. You could make him the Poke pick each week, but with 128 yards needed to break UW single-season rushing record, I’ve got to take him this week. He’s rushed for 128 yards or more in six games this year.

The Cowboys win if…

Wyoming wins if they force turnovers. It’s been a problem all year, and last week’s minus-three turnover margin hurt the Pokes. If they can get Donnel Pumphrey and Co. to cough up the ball a few times, the game could be competitive.

Certainly a letdown game. If that’s what we can even call it anymore. I fully expected a better game from the Cowboys being that it was a rivalry game, but they Pokes didn’t get on the scoreboard until the game had been long decided. Brian Hill failed to reach the 100 yard mark in the game, and mostly the Pokes offense was neutralized. The Cowboy defense looked sluggish out of the gate with Colorado State scoring on their first four opportunities. The Boot remained in Fort Collins for another year and another loss is piled into the Cowboys records this season.

Pokes pick:

The Cowboy defense faces a tough task this weekend of trying to stop one of the nation’s top running backs in Donnel Pumphrey. Pumphrey has rushed for a little more than 1000 yards this season. The Aztecs also have another talented rusher in Chase Price who has rushed for more than 500 yards this season. The Cowboys front seven is going to be tasked with shutting these two backs down which means that we’re going to need a big game from someone like Lucas Wacha. He was a little dinged up last week in the Border War, but his presence in the middle of the field will be desperately needed.The Cowboys win if…

As mentioned above, the front seven is going to be vital to winning this game. The away team has won the last four meetings in this series. That stat bodes well for Wyoming if history is any indicator, however, that would mean the defense needs to be on its toes and making sure Pumphrey doesn’t get loose into the secondary. If the Pokes can do that their chances of winning are increased. Cam Coffman returns under center this weekend which should be a boost to the passing game which has been virtually non-existent the past three weeks.Game Prediction:

The road team has had success in this series, but I don’t know if the Cowboy defense is up to the task of slowing down the Aztec rushing attack, and who knows what kind of production the Pokes will get from Coffman after three weeks off with a shoulder injury. SDSU will be loading the box to stuff Brian Hill. Without Tanner Gentry in the lineup the passing attack is a total mystery. SDSU 45 Wyoming 20

Wyoming lost the game in the first quarter. Wyoming didn’t look ready to play at all and quite frankly should have lost by more. The game felt like it was a lot worse than the score indicated.

Poke Pick:

The coaching staff, this team has not come out ready to play and against CSU looked drastically under prepared. It can’t be easy to keep our guys focused and excited, but at the same time that is the coaches job. Wyoming has made so many mistakes when it comes to penalties, discipline, assignments, etc. I would like to see a more focused football team these last two games. I need something to look forward to next year.

Wyoming wins if…

They don’t commit one penalty, don’t turn the ball over once, and cause multiple turnovers. Three things that are very unlikely to happen.

Game Prediction:

Having Cam Coffman back is a huge plus, the offense should be able to score a few points, but the late start on the west coast won’t help. Combine that with the fact that we are a sorry excuse for a football team and SDSU is in the hunt for a conference title… I don’t like our chances. SDSU 38 Wyoming 21